TOPIC
2: AFRICA AND EUROPE IN THE 15TH
CENTURY
i. There are divergent views that
have been advanced by various historians regarding the African continent when
it came into contact with capitalist in Europe. According to Eurocentric
scholars, they claimed that before the advent of colonial rule, African
societies didn’t have any kind of development; however African scholars argued
that the continent had achieved a significant level of development in economic,
social and political aspects.
Development can be defined as the
improvement in economic, social and political aspects.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
i . Trade
There are strong evidences of
trading activities in pre colonial Africa. There were different types of trade
i.e. local and long distance trade.
Local trade was the type of trade
that was conducted within a given community.
Long distance trade was the type of
trade which took place between one region and another. There was a long
distance trade in east Africa which took place between the interior and coastal
people of east Africa.
The main participants were the kamba
and nyamwezi from the interior and the Arabs and Swahili traders from the
coast.
ii . Agriculture
By the fifteen century agriculture
had developed in Africa. There were various types of agriculture in pre
colonial Africa. These included permanent crop cultivation and shifting
cultivation.
Permanent crop cultivation took
place in areas that received a lot of rainfall and fertile land. Mixed farming
took place in those areas whose soil lost its fertility easily, thus forcing
the farmers to shift from one piece of land to another land looking for fertile
land. Mixed farming was widely practiced in the savanna region.
iii Manufacturing industries.
By the 15 th century Africa had
developed a number of manufacturing industries such as salt making and copper
mining. Salt making took place at Tagaza and Bilma in West Africa and uvinza in
Tanganyika. Salt was not only used as an ingredient but also for preserving
perishables.
Copper mining activities found in
Africa by the 15 th century. Copper was only used for making ornaments. In
central Africa, the Katanga region was famous for mining and processing copper.
Copper mining also took place along the Gwai River in Zimbabwe
iv Maritime technology.
To a certain extent African
societies had developed maritime technology, this was around water bodies. The
societies that had acquired this technology are the Ganda and kerewe in east
Africa; these were making canoes that facilitated their movement along rivers
and lakes.
v Iron technology.
By the 15 th century most parts of
Africa had developed the art of making iron and using iron. In Africa the
knowledge of making iron and use of iron tools developed at different times and
at different places. The first places to use iron were Ethiopians and
Egyptians. At around 200BC Meroe & Axum became important sector for the
production of iron
POLITICAL SYSTEMS
During the 15 th century, there were
various political organizations in pre colonial Africa. This included the
following
i Age set system.
This refers to the allocation of
social functions according to sex and age groups. This system was mainly
practiced by pastoral societies such as the Maasai of east Africa. The Maasai assigned
social functions according to age groups. Example; from age of 0 – 8 no social
functions were given, from 8 – 18 years, the boys were supposed to graze the
animals.
ii Clan organization.
This refers to control by clan head.
This system mainly developed in the savanna region. The main economic
activities were mixed farming and shifting cultivation. Mixed farming involved
the cultivation of crops and animal keeping. Shifting cultivation involved the
movement from one place to another searching for fertile land because the soil
easily loses its fertility. Shifting cultivation made land very important,
therefore societies needed strong leadership that would control and distribute
land thus the rise of clan organization.
iii .State organization. The state
is a large political unity with a heterogeneous population having a centralized
system with powers to collect tributes. Most of the states in Africa were
formed in the interlacustrine region which received heavy rainfall throughout
the year. This type of environment supported the increase in production that
led to increase in population thus contributing to the formation of states such
as Buganda and Karagwe in east Africa.
FACTOR FOR THE RISE OF STATE IN
AFRICA
There was feudal centralized state
where the power was in hand feudula lords
FACTOR FOR THE RISE OF STATE IN
EUROPE
i. Changing of Trade organization,
(to mechantalism) ii. Organization of security iii. Encouragement of production
within empires for market iv. Formation of foreign policy (colonial policy)
abroad so as to have primitive accumulation through piracy, banditry and
looting.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST WESTERN
EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEM WITH AFRICAN ONES IN THE 15th CENTURY.
i/ Comparison • Both were ruled by
kings or queen or chiefs - Example, Mani Nzinga – Congo. • Function of the king
were the same, In protection of citizens and defense for security for • Both
defend or encourage exploitation of serfs by land lords. • Both encourage
trade. Example: (a) In Africa, were engage in long distance trade. (b) In
Europe – merchantile trade.
ii/ Contrasts • Duration of the
modal/ centralized state In Africa it was in pre- mature but in Europe of was
reached, its mature • Emergence of merchants who challenged the rolling class
while in Africa was not so • In Europe was Broad rolling class (complex) but in
Africa was very parochial. • In Europe states Formation appeared after the turn
of Roman empire for disintegration of slavery (and of slavery in Europe in
Africa was not produced as a mode of production. • In Europe 15th , there was
great changes in Feudalism, It was highest peak and break down to give room to
capitalism. • Enclosure system in Europe while in Africa was not so • Highest
level of education in Europe than Africa.
i. Education
This refers to the transmission of
skills, knowledge and norms from one generation to the other. By the 15 th
century Africa had its own education system which was largely informal in
character. The young people acquired knowledge by imitating the behavior of the
elders. However it should be noted that there was literacy in pre colonial
Africa especially along the Nile River in Egypt and Mali
ii. Religion
There is strong evidence that by the
15 th century Africa had its own religion. Religious ceremonies were presided
over by community elders, Example the laibon of the Maasai and the clan heads
of clan organization. These elders were responsible for supervising religious
ceremonies like organizing sacrifices.
SIGNIFICANCE OF TRADE IN THE
SOCIETIES BETWEEN AFRICA AND EUROPE
1. Both trades found in Africa and
Europe led to specialization where by a group of people emerged and specialized
in different economic activities for example in Africa they emerged a group of
specialized in agriculture, fishing, iron melting, pastoralism and trade as
well as in Europe there was emerged of groups of people who specialized in
different economic activities such as traders (merchant kings), people who
specialized in farming etc.
2. Both trade found in Africa and
Europe during the 15 th C led to the development of science and technology in
African and European societies. For Example It led to the development of ship
building and, marine technology and compass bearing where by traders used
advanced to travel in other parts of the world to look for raw materials,
market, cheap labour etc. while in Africa there was development of different
science and technologies which enabled traders to travel from one areas to
another. For Example In West Africa traders across Trans-Saharan desert used
camels from (West Africa) to (North Africa) used horse as means of transport.
3. Both trades found in Africa and
Europe led to emergence of state (state formation). for example in Africa
Ghana, Songhai, Mali, Oyo, Benin, Mwanamutapa empire, Mirambo empire as well as
in Europe there was emergence of states especially in Britain and later on in
France due to the trade. In Addition to that, the trade found in both Africa
and Europe led to emergence of trading centers and growth of towns which later
led to urbanization in both Africa and Europe. Example in Dodoma, Walata, Gao,
Jere, but we also had some towns like Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, Mombasa, Kilwa, Pete,
Lamu etc. as well as in Europe there ware towns due to trade such as Liverpool,
Yorkshire, Manchester, Venice, etc.
4. Both trades in Africa and Europe
lead to emergence of goods and strong leaders who later controlled the state
for example in Africa Mansa Kankan Musa (Mali), Askia Mohamed (Songhai), and
Mwenemutapa (Mwenemutapa Empire).
5. Both trades found in Africa and
Europe led to emergence of strong army which was well disciplined to protect
state and its routes for example in Britain there was emergence of navy army.
6. Both trades found in Africa and
Europe led to emergence of people who later became rich because of being
involving in the system of exchange in the societies. For Example Kings and
individual traders who involved were involved in the trade became rich. For
Example in Africa Mansa Musa, Askia, Samouri Toure, Mirambo, Mwenemutapa and In
Europe Kings also became rich because they got much profit from trade.
7. Both trades found in Africa and
Europe led emergence of strong faith because the trade lead to unity among the
people in the society. For example the Trans-Saharan trade in Africa led to
emergence of Islamic faith West and North Africa while in some East African
societies there was emergence of Christianity due long distance trade (LTD) as
well as in Europe there were emergence of Christianity due to trade conducted
between European societies.
8. Trades especially in Europe
during 15 th C lead to the growth of industries where by different industries
were built using the wealth accumulated from trade. For Example Textile
industries, Agricultural equipment industries.etc
9. Trade especially in Europe led to
establishment of financial institutions like banks such as Barclays, House Lord
in Britain after the merchant Kings and other. Traders had accumulated profit
from the trade conducted between European nations and other continents of the
world.
IMPACTS OF TRADE (SYSTEM OF
EXCHANGE) BETWEEN AFRICA AND EUROPE DURING THE 15 TH CENTURY
1.The trade led to stagnation of
African technology simply because Africans who were skillful and knowledgeable
were taken as slaves to offer their labour in big plantations and mining
established by European absentee owners in America during the 15 th C.
2.The Trade also led to exploitation
of African natural resources such as minerals, raw materials etc was taken
specifically for the development of European nations.
3.The trade conducted between Africa
and Europe during 15 th lead to destruction of African culture and introduction
of European culture in Africa because it was during this contact African way of
living, dressing style, marriage, eating Etc were destroyed by Europeans as
Africans began to imitate what Europeans brought to African societies.
4. Trade contact between Africa and
Europe during the 15 th C led to fall and rise of some African states. African
states which existed before the contact between Africa and Europe during the 15
th C collapsed like western sudanic states (Ghana, Songhai.etc.) while some
other African states like Dahomey emerged due to the fact that their leaders
and prosperity of the state depended on the triangular slave trade.
5. Trade lead to the collapse of
African trade that existed before the 15 th C hence led to underdevelopment of
African continent and development of European nations simply because it was
that trade that culminated the situation for European development in all
aspects (socially, economically and politically) and African underdevelopment
in all aspects.
6. The Contact between Africa and
Europe during the 15 th C paved way for African colonization simply because
this trade is the one which led to the influx of agents of colonialism such as
trades, missionaries and explorers started their colonial ambition in Africa to
explore the potential areas such as agricultural areas, mineral areas, lakes
(water bodies) etc. hence colonialism.
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN AFRICA AND EUROPE BY THE 15 TH
CENTURY
SIMILARITIES
1. Both Africa and Europe had
developed in medicine technology to cure various diseases whereby they use
roots, herbs and drugs to cure some diseases like malaria, cholera, etc.
2. Both societies had developed in
iron technology where by some agricultural tools and many things were made both
in Africa and Europe; example in Africa iron technology was found in
Mwenemutapa Empire, Engaruka and in Britain, France.etc.
3. Both in Africa and Europe
societies engaged in cultivation of crops; for example in Egypt there was a
high development of farming activities especially through irrigation system
along the river Nile especially during the dry seasons, In Zambezi basin there
was agricultural development in which people practiced intensive terracing
farming and in Europe there was use of irrigation system and use of scientific
methods of farming during enclosure system
4. Both societies engaged in
handcraft activities for example both societies made things like pots, baskets,
mats and other vessels for their own development.
5.Both societies developed in
navigation technology for example in Europe there was ship building industries
compass direction and compass bearing where by European merchant were used to
cut across big seas and ocean while in Africa societies used canoes and dhows
as the major means of water transport; for example along Nile river, along the
shore of Lake Victoria, Tanganyika, Nyasa.etc. Canoes were used for fishing and
ferrying people and goods from one place to another.
6. Both societies (Africa and
Europe) had developed in an architecture engineering technology. For example in
the ancient Mwenemutapa Empire around Zimbabwe, Egypt and Sudan there were
great architecture technology. for example in Zimbabwe they built 30/20 feet
high by using stones and in Egypt at Giza plateau near Cairo the great pyramids
consisted of two million of block of stones each weighing more than two tones
like in Europe there were big buildings found in big towns of Europe like
Paris, London.etc.
7. Both societies made weapons for
self defense, security and conquering weak states; for example both societies
made weapons like swords, arrows, axes, spears, machetes, aves, shields and
matchet guns.
DIFFERENCES
1.European societies were highly
developed in animal breeding under enclosure system while Africa had not
developed animal breeding under enclosure system.
2. Africans were highly advanced in
animal husbandry than European societies this might be even up to now.
3. European societies were in
transition from domestic (Cottage industries) to factory system (big
manufacturing industries) than in Africa where there is no any sign of
transition to factory system.
4. European societies were advanced
more in navigation technology than in Africa. for example by the 15 th C
European societies had ship building technology, compass direction and compass
bearing which helped European merchant to cut across big oceans and seas to
trade with other societies of the world while Africans used canoes to paddle
and dhows in order to navigate in big rivers and along the shores of lakes and
oceans.
5. Europeans were more advanced in
gun making and bombs than Africans; the gun smiths were better than those of
Africa in 15 th C. This shows the reason why the Europeans (particularly the
Portuguese) managed to defeat African societies easily along the coast of
Indian Ocean and managed to establish city states along East African coast.
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
AFRICA AND EUROPEAN FEUDAL MODES OF PRODUCTION
There are various factors that
contributed to the rise of mercantilism in Europe;
a) Improvement of science and
technology.
This played a great role to the rise
of mercantilism. Maritime technology made it possible for the European
countries to conduct trade overseas. The ships enabled the transportation of
large quantities of goods to various countries in the world.
b) Development of internal trade.
The development of internal trade
contributed significantly to the rise of mercantilism because it introduced
various items of trade. These goods were exchanged with other goods during the
Trans – Atlantic slave trade, the Europeans provided Africans with clothes and
spirit in return for goods such as gold and silver.
c) Enclosure system.
The enclosure system involved
passing laws by the parliament whereby wealthy land owners bought land from the
peasants. The small peasants and common land in villages of Britain had to be
grouped together and out under individual capitalist’s farms. The enclosure
system increased agricultural production that facilitated trading activities.
d) Development of the banking
system.
There were various banks that were
established in Britain e.g. Barclays bank. These banks contributed to the rise
of mercantilism by providing loans and grants to the merchants who wanted to
trade overseas.
e) Rise of nation states.
The rise of nation states
contributed to the rise of mercantilism in Europe. European monarchies such as
the Tudor monarchy played a great role in the rise of mercantilism by giving
security to the merchants which encouraged them to engage in mercantile
activities.
f)Geographical discoveries.
This was made by different scholars,
contributed to the rise of mercantilism. Christopher Columbus discovered
America which was followed by the establishment of capitalist enterprises such
as farms and mining which encouraged trading activities.
g) Rise of the Trans Atlantic slave
trade.
The Trans Atlantic slave trade was
an economic system that involved three continents i.e. Africa, Europe and
America. The trading system consolidated mercantilism by making it possible for
European countries to trade with Africa and America. Africa provided slaves,
America produced raw materials and Europe provided manufactured goods.
THE ROLE OF THE TUDOR MONARCHY TO
THE DEVELOPMENT OF MERCANTILISM IN ENGLAND
Before the industrial revolution,
the dominant form of capital in Western Europe was merchant capital, it was
capital obtained from trade. Western Europe came into contact with the rest of
the world through trade; this system of trade is known as mercantilism.
The development of mercantilism in
England went through two faces namely;
a) First phase which took place from
mid 15 th C – mid 17 th C.
b) Second phase which took place
from mid 17 th C – mid 18 th C.
The first phase was associated with
the Tudor monarchy was an English dynasty that descended from King Henry VII to
Elizabeth I.
The Tudor monarchy played a
significant role in the rise of mercantilism in England.
a) Acquisition of colonies.
The Tudor monarchy helped the
merchants to acquire colonies. Colonies were important in the whole system of
mercantilism because they provided markets and raw materials such as gold and
silver which were needed by the merchants.
b) Chartered trading companies.
The Tudor monarchy charted trading
companies had given them exclusive rights to trade all over the world. The most
importance of these companies were the royal Africa company charted in 1588 in
order to organize slave trade and east India company chartered in 1600 for
trading with India and the far east including china and Japan.
c) Set up navigation acts.
The Tudor monarchy set up
navigational acts of the 17 th C which were introduced to monopolize the rights
to transport goods into and from the colonies as well as the profits obtained
from transportation between the mother land and the colony.
d) Ensured constant supply of wool.
The Tudor monarchy assured the
merchants constant supply of wool by stopping the export of wool. Wool was
important as a raw material in the textile industries. The textile industries
were very important during the early days of the industrial revolution in
Britain.
e) Promoted organization.
The Tudor monarchy provided
organization of merchant groups for the exploitation and settlement in the new
world. By the 17 th C, many Britons were investing overseas, these included
members of parliament and merchants.
f) Security.
The Tudor monarchy assured the
merchants protection on the high seas from pirates. Mercantilism was
characterized with primitive accumulation of capital; one of the methods used
to acquire capital was piracy, thus the assurance of protection encouraged the
merchants to engage in trade.
g) Provided loans.
The Tudor monarchy provided loans
and grants to the merchants, the provisions of loans and grants encouraged the
merchants to engage in mercantile activities thus leading to the development of
mercantilism in Britain.
h) Developed and consolidated
maritime technology.
The Tudor monarchy contributed to
the development of mercantilism in Britain by developing and consolidating
maritime technology. Maritime technology made it possible for the merchants to
trade overseas with Africa and America thus the rise of mercantilism.
i) Discarded feudal elements.
The Tudor monarchy abandoned feudal
elements and promoted capitalism, this led to the emergency of the merchant
class. The merchant class conducted trade overseas which contributed to the
rise of mercantilism.
Sources of primitive accumulation of
capital during mercantilism
a) Long distance trade.
The capitalists obtained capital
from the long distance trade that was conducted among various continents such
as Africa, America and Asia. This was the Trans Atlantic slave trade. European
countries acquired capital by accumulating precious metals such as gold and
silver which was based on unequal exchange.
b) Crusades
These wars were fought between the
Muslims and the Christians from the 11 th to 12 th centuries. The Christians
claimed that these were holly wars which aimed at the holly lands from the
Arabs. It should be noted that the wars were accompanied with massive looting
which formed the basis of primitive accumulation of capital.
c) Confiscation of church property.
The church in England controlled
large estates of land but between 1535 and 1539 AD. King Henry VIII following
the advice of his chief minister Thomas Cromwell decided to confiscate church
property. The land was grabbed and sold to the capitalist; this capital was
acquired by using primitive means.
d) Feudal wars.
The feudal wars were very common in
Europe especially between 1337 and 1453 AD. There was the hundred year’s war
between the French and the British monarchies. These wars were characterized
with plundering and looting which help the European powers to accumulate
capital that contributed to the rise of capitalism.
e) Enclosure system.
This system involved evicting
peasants and serfs from their land. The land was sold to the capitalist who
organized it into compact forms and enclosed it. The enclosure system
contributed to the improvement of the agriculture sector which led to the rise
of the industrial revolution, but the eviction of the peasants and serfs was a
primitive act.
f) Protectionist policies.
Mercantilism was associated with
protectionism especially in England which was the major power during the
mercantile period. The Tudor monarchy introduced navigational acts that denied
other countries from trading freely with England and her colonies. This aimed
at protecting the British interests.
WHY BRITAIN SUCCEEDED IN MERCANTILE
TRADE
Britain was the most successful
nation in Europe in mercantile trade especially during the second phase which
took place between the 15 th and 18 th centuries. Britain was also the first
country to industrialize because it was very active during mercantilism. There
are many factors that aided Britain to dominate mercantilism in Europe or the
world.
a) Role of Tudor monarchy.
The Tudor monarchy played a great
role in the development of mercantilism in Britain and ensuring that the
country became the most powerful during the mercantile period. The monarchy
acquired colonies that provided raw materials and markets to the merchants and
it also promoted political stability that encouraged domestic production.
b) Development of maritime
technology.
Maritime technology first developed
on a larger scale in Britain then it spread to other countries. Maritime
technology facilitated inters–continental trade that greatly contributed to the
development of mercantilism in Britain. Ever since the 14 th C Britain has been
enjoying an extra advantage over navy supremacy than other European nations and
used this advantage to dominate mercantile trade.
c) Increase in internal production.
There are various changes that took
place in the agricultural and industrial sectors in Britain. These changes
boosted internal production that stimulated trade with other countries. Britain
traded with north and South America, Asia and Africa thus she was able to
dominate other countries in mercantile activities.
d) Acquisition of colonies.
Britain had so many colonies in
Africa, America and China. These colonies guaranteed the merchants sources of
raw material and markets thus leading to the development of mercantilism in
Britain.
e) Imposition of protective tariffs.
The establishment of navigation acts
of the 17 th C provided moral and material support to the merchants by
protecting them from competition. By this law, all goods exported to British
colonies had to be carried by British ships and all goods from British colonies
were supposed to be shipped first to Britain before exporting them to other
countries. The navigation acts played a crucial role in helping Britain to
dominate mercantilism.
f) Enclosure system.
Britain was the first country to
implement the enclosure system in the 16 th century. The enclosure system
involved grouping all peasants and common land in the villages in two compact
forms, this land was subjected to commercial production. The enclosure system
led to increase in production which contributed to the development of
mercantilism.
g) Exploitation of other countries.
Britain was able to exploit heavily
the weak nations, Portugal depended heavily on the military support from
Britain against her rivals such as Spain and in return Britain got economic
gains. These activities contributed to the development of mercantilism in
Britain.
THE TRANS ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE
This refers to the type of trade
that involved three continents Africa, America and Europe. In this trading
system, Africa was the source of cheap labor which was in the form slaves. America
was the source of raw materials and Europe was the source of manufactured
goods, hence the triangle. The main participants were Britain, France, Holland
and Portugal.
Origin
There are various factors that
contributed to the rise of the Trans Atlantic slave trade
a) Discovery of the new world.
The discovery of the new world that
is America by Christopher Columbus in 1492 contributed to the rise of Trans
Atlantic slave trade. The Europeans rushed to America and established
plantations and mining centers which demanded for labor, this necessitated the
importation of Africans thus the beginning of the Trans Atlantic slave trade.
b) Discovery of maritime technology.
The discovery of the art of making
ships and compass direction played a fundamental role in the rise of the Trans
Atlantic slave trade, this technology made it possible for Europeans to trade
with various countries across the Atlantic Ocean.
c) The inability of the indigenous
people.
At first the Europeans were using
Native Americans, red Indians to provide cheap labor on the plantations and
mining centers; but these later died in huge numbers due to plague. This called
for the importation of African slaves which contributed to the rise of the
Trans Atlantic slave trade.
d) The establishment of plantations.
After the discovery of the new
world, many Europeans flocked to America; these included the British, French,
Portuguese and the Dutch. Many of these immigrants established plantations that
caused more demand for slave labor. The increased demand contributed to the
development of Trans–Atlantic slave trade.
e) Accessibility.
The accessibility between the new
world and the West African coast facilitated the rise of the Trans Atlantic
slave trade. The distance from West Africa to the new world is very narrow thus
it made it possible for the transportation of goods between the two regions.
EFFECTS OF THE TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE
TRADE IN AFRICA
The Trans Atlantic slave trade was a
disaster to Africa. It is one of the factors which contributed to under
development in Africa.
(a) Economic effects
i. Removal of African labor; The
Trans Atlantic slave trade was associated with the uprooting of many Africans
who were taken to provide cheap labor on European plantations in America. The
ones who were taken were between the ages of 15 and 35 who made up the
productive force in Africa.
ii. Stagnation of African
technology; The Trans Atlantic slave trade contributed to the stagnation of
African technology. It led to the flooding of European manufactured goods which
were exchanged for slaves. Due to these goods , the Africans found it easier to
sell their fellow Africans in exchange for manufactured goods hence they neglected
production which led to the stagnation of African technology.
iii. Decline of African agricultural
production; There was decline in agricultural production due to the loss of
labor. Those who were taken as slaves were the ones who were very active in
farms, thus their removal led to shortage of labor consequently causing the
decline in agricultural production.
iv. Decline of African traditional
industries; It contributed to the decline of African traditional industries due
to the flooding of European manufactured goods. Due to these goods Africans
abandoned production and exchanged their fellow Africans with the Europeans
goods. The manufactured goods from Europe also destroyed African traditional
industries by killing the market for African local goods.
v. Insecurity; The major item of
trade during the Trans–Atlantic slave trade was slaves. The slaves were
acquired through release of ambushing and raiding various villages, these
activities contributed to insecurity which disrupted trade and agriculture.
(b) Social effects
i. Depopulation; It led to
depopulation because millions of Africans were uprooted and exported to America
as cheap labor. It is believed that during the 400 years of slave trade, around
100,000,000 Africans were taken as slaves.
ii.Famine; The Trans Atlantic slave
trade contributed to famine in Africa. The trade was characterized with
insecurity because of slave trading activities, the insecurity made it
difficult for people to engage in agricultural production.
iii. Erosion of African culture; The
Trans Atlantic slave trade was associated with an influx of foreigners
especially Europeans. This led to a destruction of African traditional values
because Africans were coping European culture.
iv. Break down families; There was
break down of families because various members were taken as slaves.
(c) Political effects
i. Fall of states; The Trans
Atlantic slave trade contributed to the collapse of some states in West Africa,
these included Oyo and Benin. These states collapsed because of slave trading
activities which led to famine and depopulation consequently leading their
decline.
CONTRIBUTION OF MERCANTILISM TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF CAPITALISM IN EUROPE
Mercantilism had great impact in the
development of industrial revolution and the eventual transformation of
European countries into big powers. The European countries accumulated capital
for around 300 years. It should be noted that mercantilism was a blessing to
Europe, but a tragedy to Africa. The contribution of mercantile trade to the developing
of European industrial capitalism included the following;
I. Accumulation capital.
The European countries acquired a
lot of capital from mercantilism. The countries were able to accumulate a lot
of capital throughout the 300 years of mercantilism through unequal exchange,
the obtained precious metals such as gold, silver and diamond which they used
to finance the industrial revolution.
II. Source of cheap labour.
Mercantilism was associated with
slave trade, during this period millions of Africans were uprooted and exported
to America, where they provided
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